Keynote speaker Mario Solis Marich gives a speech at the inaugural American Dream Political Action Committee breakfast, a fundraiser to support Colorado's ASSET legislation.

And that would make sense, since Latino voters are an important and growing constituency.

But it struck me as odd that the one relatively simple thing Republicans could have done to improve their relationship with Colorado Latinos was something they just couldn’t do — that is approve a bill in the state legislature that would have set a special tuition rate for illegal immigrant high school students.

The ASSET bill was voted down in a House committee earlier this week on a party line vote, with Republicans standing together to defeat the measure. ASSET, as it was called, would have set a tuition rate for illegal immigrant kids that was more than subsidized in-state tuition, but far less than non-resident tuition.

It was arguably the the single most galvanizing issue in the state this year for Latinos, and Republicans wouldn’t even let it get to the House floor, where it had a chance to pass if one Republican crossed party lines to vote with House Democrats. The measure easily passed the Democratic-controlled Senate.

So it was befuddling to read comments from Colorado Republican Party Chairman Ryan Call, who was quoted as saying he knows “how important this constituency is.” And I’m sure he’s sincere, but surely I can’t be the only one to see the disconnect between the Latino “outreach” efforts by the GOP’s central leadership, and the way its members vote when confronted by a key issue.

I believe what befuddles Caldwell is extremism. When ideology reigns and practicality and compromise are trampled in the mud, you know you’re dealing with extremists. At some point, you’d think people would notice what’s right in front of their fact instead of being befuddled.

Illegals travel 2000 miles to find jobs, while Barry is sending jobs to China through the world’s highest union pay, EPA burdens for fake global warming, no drilling, half a pipeline, Government control of industry …

… Hispanic voters will come to understand Greenpeace Barry means a lower quality of life for any job seekers

The proposal was to assist ILLEGAL aliens. They should not be here in the first place. Alabama instituted strict anit-illegal laws and look what happened: http://www2.dir.state.al.us/Laus/CLF/ALUS.aspx
Alabama now has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country.

I congratulate the House Republicans for stopping this vote buying attempt by Democrats. This law directly contradicts federal law about tuition rates for resident and non resident students. This law was intended by Democrats as the nose under the camel’s tent. Next year, Democrats would return with a revision to provide resident tuition and state tuition support for illegal aliens. Illegal aliens are the path to Democrat control of government.

I am Hispanic and I resent liberals and their ilk who claim to speak for Hispanics and continue their left-wing stereotypes and propoganda about Republicans and conservatives. This does nothing but pander to the Latino community with empty rhetoric- the bill requires all these students to leave the country for 7 years after their studies. But what about out of state students? What about rising education costs? How about standing up for what works best for all Americans instead of thinking you know what’s what best for for one group of people. Hispanics aren’t as stupid as you think.

The Hispanics that I work with (construction) share your same concern. They are all hardworking and expect to pay their own way. They are not looking for a free ride.
The progressive machine seeks to keep this voting block in a second class status in order to reinforce their position as victims.
Our society is be victimizes by the cultural, economic and racist warfare of the progressive left.

Clear headed Latinos need only ask themselves what Obama has done for them in the past 3+ years. Has he kept his promises? Were Latinos better off under the George Bush presidency than they have been under the Obama regime? Did George Bush and the GOP do all the bad things that Obama is scaring Latinos about? Latino’s prospered between 2000 and 2008. The past 3 years have been a much worse for Latinos.

At least George W. Bush provided front line jobs for Latinos in Iraq. He didn’t even require proof of citizenship to give you a gun and a free plane ticket to fight his undeclared and unfunded war in the heat of the desert. Repubs do not care about the common American, no matter what your ethnic heritage might be.

I believe that the failure of the Republicans to support the tuition plan for Latinos is every reason not to support Republicans in the coming election. Action speaks much louder than words, vows, and begging.

Joey Bunch has been a reporter for 28 years, including the last 12 at The Denver Post. For various newspapers he has covered the environment, water issues, politics, civil rights, sports and the casino industry.